Chartright orders 10 D-JETs
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| Chartright has ordered 10 D-JET aircraft with first delivery to begin in the third quarter of 2010. |
Chartright Air Group and Diamond Aircraft have announced a major order
for the Diamond D-JET personal jet to complement Chartright’s existing
fleet of large business jets. Chartright has ordered 10 D-JET aircraft
with first delivery to begin in the third quarter of 2010. These
aircraft will be available for Chartright’s charter and managed
aircraft customers.
Chartright has ordered 10 D-JET aircraft with first delivery to begin in the third quarter of 2010.
Operated from Toronto, Chartright forecasts the D-JET will serve
destinations, such as New York, Montreal or Philadelphia in less than
two hours, an elapsed time that includes check-in, security and
customs. A typical private jet charter to one of these destinations
would cost between $10,000 and $15,000 round-trip. The D-JET will
accomplish the same mission for less than $4,000, Chartright expects.
Air France sues Pearson, Ottawa over 2005 crash
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| In its lawsuit, Air France pins the blame on the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, Nav Canada and the individual air-traffic controllers who guided the big jet to the airport in the fateful minutes before the crash. |
Pearson International Airport’s newest runway lacks proper safety margins and falls short of international standards, Air France alleges in a lawsuit following the dramatic 2005 crash of one of its jets at the site.
The French airline and its insurers are suing the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, which runs Pearson, the federal government and the country’s air-traffic control agency for about $180 million, charging they all cut corners that contributed to the crash of its Airbus A340 jet.
The airline takes aim at the airport operator, saying the design of Runway 24 Left – which ends at a steep ravine – failed to ensure there was an “adequate margin of safety for aircraft in the event of an overrun event.” It also says in a statement of claim filed with the Ontario Superior Court that “GTAA failed to provide a safe environment for the conduct of civil air operations.”
Flight 358 arriving from Paris was battered by a violent thunder-
storm just as it touched down on August 2, 2005. Going too fast, it ran off the rain-slicked runway and into the ravine, where it broke apart and burst into flames. All 297 passengers and 12 crew survived the accident but 33 people were taken to hospital.
The federal government says Air France knew that runway runoff areas “are not standard in Canada” and noted the airline operated from Pearson for “many years” before the crash. “Air France has continued to operate flights including those by A340 aircraft on Runway 24L since the said incident,” the government says in its statement of defence.
Federal officials point the finger at the pilots, saying the crew failed to calculate a safe landing distance, despite reports that thunderstorms were expected at the time of landing.
An investigation by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada concluded last December that the jet touched down almost halfway down the 2,740-metre runway and was still travelling at almost 150 km/h when it went off the runway.
Seaplanes North to distribute Viking spares
Viking Air Ltd. has selected Seaplanes North of Anchorage as its material sales and distribution centre for DHC-2 Beaver and DHC-3 Otter parts to better serve its Alaskan customers. The decision comes as a customer service enhancement effort to facilitate faster overnight deliveries to the region and to eliminate potential customs delays. In business since 2000, Seaplanes North is a well-established parts distributor and an aircraft maintenance provider located at Anchorage’s Lake Hood, the busiest seaplane base in the world.
Viking launched the all new DHC-6 Series 400 Twin Otter last year, with over 40 orders to date and deliveries to begin in 2009. Viking also provides OEM support for the worldwide fleet of the de Havilland heritage line of aircraft (DHC-1 through DHC-7).
Customers on board with Guardian Mobility
Guardian Mobility has introduced its first new products designed to operate with the Iridium satellite system. The new products, Skytrax 3i and Skytrax 3xi, offer complete global coverage for aircraft tracking around the world including all continents, oceans and the polar regions. Customers for the new products already include Sabina Aircraft Consulting of Belgium, and Canadian operators CHC Helicopter Corporation, Transwest Air and Gateway Helicopters.
Skytrax 3i is intended to be internally mounted on the aircraft and is ideal for helicopters. Skytrax 3xi is mounted externally on the aircraft with the electronics hub mounted inside the aircraft. Both products use the same electronics hub, which contains the GPS receiver and an Iridium transmitter, which communicates with the satellite system during flight. The products are priced at $2,395.
Locational data includes relaying longitude, latitude, speed, heading and altitude, and conform to the AFF standard. The location data is plotted to a Web-based mapping tool, which enables trip views of either a single or multiple aircraft during flight. The Skytrax units are small in size, lightweight, compliant in terms of industry standards and easy to carry or to install permanently.
Northern Jet acquires 100th Learjet 40 XR
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| Bombardier delivered the 100th manufactured Learjet 40 XR light business jet to Northern Jet Management in mid-June. |
Bombardier announced in mid-June the delivery of the 100th manufactured Learjet 40 XR light business jet to Northern Jet Management, an aircraft management and shared ownership company headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich.
The new Learjet 40 XR joins The Company Jet fleet, Northern Jet’s shared ownership program, which currently features three Learjet 40 XR and one Learjet 45 XR aircraft. The Company Jet’s fleet is based at Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids.
Since acquiring Learjet in 1990, Bombardier has carried forward the brand’s legacy by launching eight high-performance and fuel-efficient Learjet aircraft.
Appointments at Atlantic Turbines
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| Barry Seddon is a licensed Canadian aircraft maintenance engineer. | Rick Halipchuk is an industry-proven veteran with a career that spans more than two decades. |
Atlantic Turbines International, a Vector Aerospace company, has hired Rick Halipchuk as sales and service manager for PT6, JT15D, and PW100 engine lines in Canada, and Barry Seddon as Canadian field service technician.
Halipchuk’s career of more than two decades includes extensive sales experience across Canada as well as in Montana, South Dakota and Minnesota. Seddon is a licensed Canadian aircraft maintenance engineer with 19 years experience. He will be travelling to customers’ locations to offer on-site field services.
Scott Taylor joins Standard Aero
Standard Aero has appointed Scott Taylor as Business Aviation business development leader based in Tempe, Ariz.
Taylor will be responsible for developing a sustainable long-term strategy for the business aviation sector and for creating innovative approaches to growing existing products and services.
Prior to joining Standard Aero, Taylor managed sales and marketing operations for Honeywell Aerospace and most recently was general manager, business and regional aviation marketing for General Electric Aviation.
Boeing completes Power On sequence for Dreamliner
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| The 787 is expected to enter revenue service in 2009 after an extensive flight test program. |
Boeing has completed the Power On sequence for the first 787 Dreamliner, marking the completion of the next major milestone on the path to first flight later this year.
Power On is a complex series of tasks and tests that bring electrical power onto the airplane and begin to exercise the use of the electrical systems. The 787 is a more-electric airplane with the pneumatic, or bleed air, system being totally replaced by electronics.
The Power On sequence began in early June with a series of pre-test continuity checks to verify that the wiring installed in the airplane had been connected properly. Upon completion of those checks, the Boeing team plugged in an external power cart and slowly began to bring full power into each segment of the system, beginning with the flight deck displays. From that point forward, the pilot’s controls were used to direct the addition of new systems to the power grid. At each step of the testing, power is allowed to flow into one additional area and gauges are used to verify that the right level of electrical power reached the intended area.
Work will continue to finish building the first 787 and further test its readiness for operations. First flight is expected in the fourth quarter. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a more fuel-efficient mid-sized jetliner capable of serving long-distance routes. The 787 is expected to enter revenue service in 2009 after an extensive flight test program. Fifty-eight customers around the world have ordered nearly 900 787s since the program was launched in April 2004, making the Dreamliner the fastest-selling new commercial jetliner in history.
Montreal FBO completed
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| Aero Toy Store has added a 30,000-square-foot aircraft hangar as well as a 15,000-square-foot completion centre to its facility. |
Aero Toy Store has announced completion of the 45,000 square foot expansion at its Montreal facility. Located at Trudeau International Airport, the company’s fixed-base operation has added a 30,000-square-foot aircraft hangar as well as a 15,000-square-foot completion centre to its current spacious facility.
The approximately $8-million project began in late summer 2007. Aero Toy Store’s Montreal FBO encompasses 200,000 square feet, including ramp space, and features a 41,000-square-foot showroom, hangar and offices equipped with the most advanced security and technological aviation equipment available. With the addition of its new aircraft hangar and completion centre, the facility is able to offer an expanded line of Aero Toy Store services, including aircraft interior refurbishment and completions.
John French consultants to merge with Solocks.com Training
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| John French, left, will continue as president and senior consultant, while Vern Busch will handle day-to-day operations. |
After providing dangerous goods training to the aviation world for over 25 years, John French has decided to officially merge John French Consultants Ltd. with his online company, Solocks.com Training Inc. (www.solocks.com ) and has appointed Vern Busch as its new managing director.
Solocks.com specializes in providing TDG & WHMIS courses over the Internet, accessible 24 hours a day from anywhere with a web browser. Dangerous goods training manuals previously provided by John French Consultants Ltd. will be available through Solocks.com Training Inc.
French will continue as president and senior consultant, while Busch will handle day-to-day operations. Busch comes from a background of over 25 years in the training and technology industries, and has worked with French and Solocks.com for
several years.
Aviation Solutions and Turbine Solutions expand in western Canada
Aviation Solutions Inc. and Turbine Solutions Inc. have expanded the Turbine Solutions Inc. component shop in Calgary. Along with Garrett 331 engine maintenance, Turbine Solutions has added various aircraft wheel and brakes overhaul capabilities at the Calgary facility.
In addition to supporting Western Canada with a large inventory of Beechcraft and Garrett 331 parts, the facility has wheel and brake overhaul capabilities for King Air, 1900, Hawker, Jetstream, Citation, Lear, Challenger, PC12 and Falcon Jet aircraft, among others.
Sales soaring for Air Tractor
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| Leland Snow, founder and president of Air Tractor Inc. |
Despite gloomy forecasts for many sectors of the U.S. economy, agricultural aircraft manufacturer Air Tractor Inc. is experiencing one of its best years ever, says Leland Snow, founder and president of the company.
During the first five months of 2008 Air Tractor licensed and delivered 50 airplanes, including some that were produced in late 2007. The bright yellow aircraft cost an average of $700,000 US. Kristin Edwards, vice-president of sales, says the company expected to conclude sales of 59 aircraft by July 1. Annual production is forecast to total 94 aircraft, with anticipated production of 120 aircraft for 2009, says Edwards.
“Strong sales of Air Tractor aircraft are the result of increased demand around the world for aerial application aircraft,” explains Snow. “A combination of economic factors are producing a favourable climate for aircraft sales. High commodity prices and the worldwide boom in agriculture, plus a weak U.S. dollar have made aircraft more affordable for overseas customers.” Air Tractor is also experiencing strong demand for its aerial firefighting tanker plane, the AT-802F, Snow reports. Eastern European countries that have experienced devastating wildfires for the past several years are purchasing the single-engine air tanker in increasing numbers because of its low operational costs and versatile mission profile capabilities.
Elizabeth Lund named vice-president at Boeing
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| Lund is the new vice-president of product development for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. |
Elizabeth Lund has been named vice-president of product development for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Lund will be responsible for leading preliminary design of new and derivative airplanes and systems, and environmental performance strategy. Lund also will manage the overall R&D plan across Commercial Airplanes, and support the Product Strategy and Advanced Technology organizations within Commercial Airplanes and Phantom Works. The position reports to Boeing Commercial Airplanes engineering vice-president Mike Denton.
Lund, 43, succeeds Todd Zarfos, who was recently named vice-president of 747/767/777 engineering.
Since June 2005, Lund has served as director of Boeing 777 manufacturing in Everett, Wash. In November 2006, Lund and her team started using a moving assembly line to build the long-range twin-engine airplane family. Prior to that, Lund was the director of the Boeing Interiors Responsibility Center. The IRC designs, manufactures, assembles and integrates a wide range of interior systems for production, aftermarket and spares for Boeing commercial jets. She also served as the director of business operations and supply chain management for Boeing’s Fabrication Division, where she was responsible for strategy development, work statement management, strategic work placement and integration of division-wide initiatives.
BASLER BT-67 approved for flight into known icing
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| With FAA approval for flight into known icing, the utility of the DC3-67TP is further increased. |
Basler Turbo Conversions LLC of Oshkosh, Wis. has announced FAA approval for flight Into known or forecast icing conditions for its DC3-67TP modified airplanes. These aircraft, modified by Supplemental Type Certificate SA4840NM, are fitted with Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67 engines and Hartzell five-bladed propellers. In addition the airframes are completely refurbished to ‘as-new’ condition. This airplane configuration has become a workhorse in the scientific, transport & special missions community and is in service throughout the world wherever a stable flight platform is required or adverse environmental conditions exist. A new Airplane Flight Manual Supplement has been issued and the Basler training program is being updated to incorporate this new capability.
Héroux-Devtek signs Learjet 85 contract
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| Héroux-Devtek Inc. will provide the landing gear for the newly launched Learjet 85. |
Héroux-Devtek Inc. has been awarded a contract from Bombardier Aerospace to provide the landing gear for the newly launched Learjet 85 business aircraft program.
Héroux-Devtek will design, develop, fabricate, assemble, test and deliver landing gear structure and actuation for the Learjet 85 aircraft. This life-cycle mandate also includes the provision of spare parts.
Launched on Oct. 30, 2007, the new Learjet 85 aircraft will be the first Bombardier Aerospace jet to feature an all-composite structure and will be the first all-composite structure business jet designed for type certification under FAR Part 25.
